Chapter 47 Be Careful

Chapter 47: Exercise Caution

Fang Liyu's gaze flickered, and a troubled expression crossed her face.

"I can only tell you that Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou... he was sent to the Central Office headquarters in District 12."

"Although they have the best treatment facilities, Director Jin initially disagreed," Fang Liyu said with a bitter smile. "The Central Office put immense pressure on our District 4."

She shook her head. "At the time, there was truly no other option..."

"But I can assure you, his life is not in danger."

Even though he had anticipated this answer, hearing Fang Liyu confirm the sentinel was safe finally put Fang Ran's mind at ease.

"Sister Fang," he said, making a decision, "I want to return to the sub-center for now."

***

Fang Ran stayed at the headquarters hospital for a week, then rested at his apartment for a few days.

After an absence of over two months, he finally returned to his office at the sub-center.

Everything felt familiar, yet he had a strange sensation as if an eternity had passed.

Nothing had changed, yet it seemed as if everything had.

Fortunately, Fang Ran was well-liked. While some busybodies tried to pry into gossip about him and the 3S-class sentinel, most colleagues simply greeted and chatted with him as usual.

Fang Ran quickly settled back into his peaceful routine.

When alone, he would still think about that sentinel.

*Had he woken up yet...?*

Fang Ran had even removed him from his blacklist, but Sentinel 97 never reappeared in his Purify Request List.

Occasionally, he would stumble upon news about the operation.

What struck Fang Ran as odd was that nearly all reports were routine, focusing on the eradication of the two S-class mutated species. Fu Zhangzhou's potential rampage, and even his deep coma, were conspicuously absent from any mention.

This should have been explosive news.

It was understandable that Center personnel had signed confidentiality agreements, but surely there were those in the know among the Guardians as well.

If nothing else, before losing consciousness that day, he clearly remembered seeing Zheng Mingyu's figure.

The Guardians had been spreading rumors about Fu Zhangzhou's rampage for so long—why had they suddenly chosen to remain silent now?

This was something Fang Ran couldn't comprehend, no matter how much he pondered it.

Half a month passed in this manner until, during a regular meeting one day, Director Chen Yao, the head of the sub-center, made an announcement.

"A few months ago, our sub-center performed an emergency Purify for Guardian Team A."

"The media has always portrayed the Center and the Guardians as opposing forces. That incident had a positive impact on improving that perception."

"So now, headquarters has decided that our two sides will cooperate again."

"Our West District Sub-center will, for the foreseeable future, be responsible for the Purify work for some of the sentinels in Guardian Team A."

As soon as he said this, it sparked an uproar among the guides present.

Everyone exchanged glances, whispering and asking why there had been no prior notice.

The Center's Purify rooms were, in principle, only open to the Center's sentinels, with occasional cooperation with other factions during field assignments.

Now they were going to regularly collaborate with the Guardians?

Not to mention that the relationship between the two was not exactly harmonious.

Fang Ran remained unusually silent amidst the discussions.

He lowered his head, lightly tapping the armrest, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

*Headquarters has far greater purification capabilities, so why did they specifically choose our sub-center?*

*Zheng Mingyu...*

*What is that man truly trying to do?*

Seeing the guides' overly intense reactions, Chen Yao quickly tried to calm them down: "Don't worry, this won't significantly increase everyone's workload."

"Like the Center's sentinels, the Guardians also need to undergo compatibility tests first, followed by the appointment screening process."

"Headquarters has also introduced a new merit-point system with generous rewards. Everyone can consider whether to accept the requests at their discretion."

Hearing this, many let out a sigh of relief.

It wasn't a mandatory task—the choice was still in their hands. That was acceptable.

The atmosphere began to relax again, and some even started joking.

"But isn't the captain of the Guardians an S-class? Who can perform Purify for him?"

"Is it Zheng Mingyu, the one who went viral with Fang Ran?" someone next to him immediately responded.

"Yes, yes! Zheng Mingyu!" another person chimed in. "The photos were really well taken."

"That sentinel is quite impressive!" the speaker even winked at Fang Ran. "I heard he's reliable and highly capable."

"After all, he's an S-class Sentinel. That's much more dependable than some people."

Facing these jokes and the glances from everyone, Fang Ran could only offer a wry smile.

He had no desire to get involved with Zheng Mingyu.

"Everyone, please stop joking."

"Sentinel Zheng Mingyu and I are too mismatched in rank. It wouldn't be suitable for me to handle his Purify work."

He knew his colleagues had no ill intent.

Previously, Fu Zhangzhou had publicly designated him as his guide, only to disappear without a trace after the mission. In the eyes of the guides, this was almost like abandonment after taking advantage.

Though their words were teasing, they also carried a sense of standing up for him.

Fang Ran waved his hand to indicate it didn't matter, but Nie Fei beside him couldn't stand it any longer.

"Stop it. Zheng Mingyu is from the Guardians. If this spreads, it will only cause trouble for Fang Ran."

Nie Fei, like Fang Ran, also chose not to remain at headquarters.

After their last mission, she and Fang Ran had gotten to know each other better, and she was naturally aware that Fu Zhangzhou was currently in an unconscious state.

"Fang Ran is clearly a Guide from our Center—why are all of you taking sides against your own?"

Nie Fei had always been straightforward, and those who had been joking earlier laughed awkwardly at her words, falling silent afterward.

Fang Ran quietly sighed in relief and gave her a grateful look.

"Let's hear what else the director has to say."

Hearing this, Director Chen cleared his throat and continued: "Everyone, quiet down."

"The main agenda items have all been covered."

"However, there's one more thing I need to remind everyone about."

"Recently, in District 8, there was an incident where a Guide was abducted by Free Sentinels."

"According to the investigation, the suspect first approached the Guide using an animal form of their Spiritual Body, then made their move once the target let their guard down."

"The Guide involved was rescued in time and was unharmed, but the Guide Committee still wants to remind everyone to stay vigilant."

"Don’t let your guard down and fall into a trap."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the meeting came to an end.

In truth, Fang Ran had also heard about the kind of incident Chen Yao mentioned.

Generally, after their awakening, Guides would voluntarily join an organization both for self-protection and various benefits.

Those Free Sentinels, lacking proper Purify channels, sometimes took dangerous risks.

As he left the conference room, he heard some Guides still talking about it.

"Another crime involving Spiritual Bodies, huh?"

"But isn't that something bonded Sentinels and Guides often use as part of their relationship?"

"Nobody's talking about you! The director was reminding unbonded, single Guides to be careful."

"Hahaha, you kids just don't understand..."

Fang Ran paused for a moment. His apartment was equipped with a psychic anomaly detection system.

This was concerning to him...

Well, it’s always better to be cautious.